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Canada: spectrum, regulation and data.

Publicly available information on spectrum, the legal regime and data rules in Canada, with the source of each entry.

Spectrum regulator

  • Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)

Spectrum

  • Non-competitive local licence (NCL) 3900–3980 MHz · The route for a private LTE/5G network.
  • NCL extension at 28 GHz 27.5–28.35 GHz · Extends NCL licensing on a no-interference, no-protection basis (SPB-001-25).
  • 3500 and 3800 MHz flexible-use (through a licensee) 3800 MHz band 3650–3900 MHz; 3500 MHz band per L10 · Lease carrier spectrum with a subordinate licence or a transfer.
  • Wireless broadband service (WBS) 3650–3700 MHz · Lightly licensed band now closing. Not an option for new deployments.
  • 902–928 MHz licence-exempt (LoRaWAN) 902–928 MHz · Low-power sensor links; the LoRaWAN US902-928 plan covers Canada.
  • 2.4 GHz licence-exempt (Wi-Fi) 2.4 GHz · Local Wi-Fi at the site.
  • 6 GHz licence-exempt (RSS-248) 5925–7125 MHz · Wi-Fi 6E/7 indoors (LPI) and outdoors under automated frequency coordination (AFC).

Licensing

  • Non-competitive local licence, 3900–3980 MHz Apply through ISED's automated system; first come, first served; technical rules SRSP-521, procedure CPC-2-1-31.
  • Subordinate licence or transfer from a 3500 or 3800 MHz licensee A commercial agreement with the licensee, then ISED approval under CPC-2-1-23 §5.6; a subordinate licence cannot exceed the primary licence and is not divisible or transferable.
  • Licence-exempt equipment (RSS-247, RSS-248) Approved equipment, no licence: 902–928 MHz, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz under RSS-247; 6 GHz under RSS-248 Issue 3 with standard power under an automated frequency coordination system.
  • 3650–3700 MHz wireless broadband service Closing: moratorium on new licences and stations in certain areas; displacement by 31 March 2025 in metropolitan and urban areas and by 31 March 2027 in rural and remote areas. Not offered for new deployments.

Siting

  • Antenna systems follow CPC-2-0-03 Issue 6: land-use authority and public consultation; the 120-day clock starts when all required plans are submitted. The exclusion for new systems under 15 m does not apply to carriers, broadcasters or third-party tower owners.
  • A May 2026 ISED consultation proposes extending that exclusion to all proponents; not decided.
  • Near airports and air-navigation infrastructure, proposals go through the NAV CANADA land-use program; acceptance letters are valid 18 months and do not replace Transport Canada approvals.

Public safety

  • Canada has no public-safety broadband network yet; a governance and legislative framework is being developed (2025 report), and the regulator closed one application as premature in June 2025.